Corsair QL Series – QL120 RGB LED Fan Kit Review

By Rob Segress

Overview & Conclusion

Specifications & Features

  • 34 Individually Addressable RGB LEDs
  • Four lighting zones inner and outer loops on both the front and back with a total of 34 individually addressable RGB LEDs per fan radiate spellbinding colors and effects on either side.
    • Like most CORSAIR RGB fans, QL RGB has truly individually addressable RGB LEDs. This allows a user to select any number and grouping of LEDs on the fan and set them to any animation or static color through iCUE software.
    • Front: outer ring 12x LEDs | inner ring (hub) 4x LEDs
    • Rear: outer ring 12x LEDs | inner ring (hub) 6x LEDs

iCUE Lighting Node CORE (included in QL RGB multi-fan kits)

  • Control RGB lighting via CORSAIR iCUE software with this incredibly compact RGB Lighting Controller, cutting down cable clutter with simple USB 2.0 and powered by SATA connections.
  • The Lighting Node CORE combines the functions of a CORSAIR iCUE Lighting Node PRO and RGB LED fan hub into one device; it can control the RGB lighting of up to six (6) of the same CORSAIR RGB fan. Unlike the Lighting Node PRO, the Lighting Node CORE does not have a connector for CORSAIR RGB LED strips.
  • The Lighting Node CORE is included in select CORSAIR multi-fan kits such as QL RGB, and with smart cases such as the CORSAIR 220T and 465X. Replacement units of Lighting Node CORE can only be purchased through corsair.com.
  • iCUE RGB Lighting controller line-up and comparison:

Connection diagram:

  • The fans must be connected to the Lighting Node CORE in series (1-6). It is suggested to mount fan 1 as the bottom fan as seen in the image below.

Intelligent Control, Unlimited Possibilities

  • Create dazzling lighting patterns and effects with powerful CORSAIR iCUE software, bringing your system to life with dynamic RGB lighting synchronized across all your iCUE compatible products.
  • Please be sure to try out the different lighting animation types: per fan and per channel.
    • Per Fan effects such as Marquee or Rotary Stack display an animation within a fan and does not interact with other fans within the same channel
    • Per Channel effect such as Sequential, Pong, or Gate display animation that utilizes all the LEDs in the same channel; the animation moves from one fan to another in the same series.
  • Integrated lighting with select iCUE-integrated games will also be supported soon.

RGB CONTROL

  • QL RGB fans are compatible with all CORSAIR RGB lighting controllers (Lighting Node CORE [included in QL RGB multi-fan kits], Lighting Node PRO, and Commander PRO). QL RGB fans will officially be supported by iCUE v3.22.

Fan Scaling (Applies only when using iCUE Lighting Node PRO)

  • With the number of LEDs in our new QL RGB fans, we are pushing the capabilities of our Lighting Node PRO. Therefore, to allow a user to install QL RGB fans along with another type of CORSAIR RGB fan into the second lighting channel of a Lighting Node PRO, were introducing fan scaling.
  • Fan scaling determines the amount of RGB fans that can be controlled on one channel depending on the fan type selected for the other LED channel on the Lighting Node PRO.
  • For example, if you select QL RGB fans and set to six (6) fans, the other lighting channel will be disabled. If you were to set six (6) ML PRO RGB fans, iCUE will automatically list five (5) max QL RGB fans for the other channel. If you set six (6) LL RGB fans, iCUE will list three (3) max QL RGB fans on the other channel.

Tech Specs

Final ThoughtsXPG Invader Gaming PC Case

If you arent part of the anti-RGB type of computer enthusiasts, its hard not to love Corsairs new QL RGB series fans. The lighting patterns these fans can display are truly mesmerizing. Being able to take control of everything with your PC in new ways, like interior and exterior lighting really along with many other options such fan speed, opens up a lot of configuration options. The fans are a really nice eye candy, but the real difference is the combination of iCUE with them.

Honestly, Corsairs older system control software left a lot of missing potential. This newer iCUE is a different breed of animal through evolution of software development. There is not many softwares packages on the market that comes even remotely close to the customization and power that iCUE provides. Having more than 100 RGB LEDs at your disposal from this 3-fan kit alone, not including other accessories like keyboards and mice, being able to do something completely different with LED is just miles ahead of anything else.

From a performance point of view, we have nothing here to complain about. these fans move quite a decent amount of air for a case fan and they can also handle a lighter workload with the radiator options if liquid cooling is something you’re into as well. These fans have a maximum speed of 1500RPM along with vibration damping rubber mounts on all four corners and they look fantastic while staying nearly silent as well.